California visit

It had been almost two years since we left our old hometown behind. We drove away not knowing if and when we would return. The several previous attempts to leave for good, only put us right back where we started (Right on the same street, even. Twice). California has that power, obviously.



But this visit was truly what it was. A visit. A visit to our favorite spots. A visit with our friends. It was a visit that felt like being back 'home', completely and utterly comfortable. We knew where everything was. We knew what we wanted to see. We even knew what the weather would bring. We were visiting 'home', and yet, we had no desire to stay.





It was better that way.

So we enjoyed it all, for what it was. The beaches were lovely; the sand was warm; the ocean air was refreshing. We loved seeing friends whose children had grown just as ours had. And yet it was as if no time had passed.



That's the way we like it.







We enjoyed the city, too, and all that came with it. The sights and sounds; the colors and vibes. It was the same old California we had known and loved. It was fresh and delicious and inviting.



We even crossed the famous bridge and went over to the rugged Marin headlands to find some peace and solitude and even more beauty.



We caught up with friends and family, most of whom had known us before we became parents, and some who had known the children before they could crawl.



We loved the connections we have with these amazing souls!



And then, the day came when we had to leave. Sure it was bittersweet to say goodbye to the coast, to the views, to the people we love. Surprisingly, we were all ready. We had drunken it all up. We had relived the past and enjoyed the present. We loved every minute of our California visit.



It was time to come home.



Home where our dog Katie lives; where the clucking hens roam; where the fuzzy bunny sprawls. We returned tired, but happy. We returned to our family life where the neighbors welcomed us back and the summer break is knocking on the door.



Katie and I are back on our walks. The walks that bring me a lot of peace and solitude here. The walks that remind me that there is beauty everywhere.







We look forward to our next visit to the coast. Yes, we do. But for now, we are happy to be home.

Chilling out, second grade style

The last block of the kids' second grade year, their school work focuses on 'healthy living'. They learn about eating good, healthy foods; they also learn about how to be physically healthy. So for three weeks, twice a week, all the second graders (and their parents are invited), bring mats or towels, and practice yoga for 20 minutes, first thing in the morning out on the front lawn of their school.

Sounds good eh? And we didn't even have to move back to California!

Jim and I joined them a few times to stretch out like "monkeys", "snakes", or "giraffes". The instructor has a clever way to direct the otherwise fidgety children through the poses.

We are missing the last week of it... but get this... we will be able to have our own yoga sessions... on some of our favorite beaches... a couple of thousand miles from this grassy lawn.

Chilling, we will be.

Roses are pink

Oh the beauty of technology. It can't beat the beauty of these roses that Katie and I see and smell on our walks. And yet, how easy it was to snap a few shots without the hefty camera in hand.

I think of the month of June when I think of roses... At least it was so in previous years. This year, roses bloomed early. I don't blame them. Summer is predicted to be a scorcher... and if I were these roses, I would bid adieu long before then.

Mid May Day

Not too many words to share today. If you can tell from these photos, though, you must know that we are enjoying May. Though it's been a busy stretch, but we are all content, happy and healthy. Not much else we could ask for. Hoping that is true with you, too!

Find to Feast, all in a day

My infrequent visits to this blog does not have to do with my lack of wanting to share tales of our life and photos of our days. The time that used to be spent taking and loading photos, writing and posting on the blog, is now primarily taken up by a small 25lb canine named Katie.

Katie and I, we walk.

We walk the streets of Bexley, sometimes in the dark, sometimes in the heat of the day. Sometimes we walk in silence, and sometimes I am entertained by podcasts, interviews, or music.

In short, instead of spending time on this page (which has changed on me since I logged on last time... has it been that long?), I am out and about, lost in my dog-walking world.



Until we stumbled on a pile of wood planks. They were left outside on the curb, to be taken by the garbage collectors. What I saw was not 'garbage', but potential. I grabbed one, and walked the dog home, with a 6 ft long piece of wood under my arm. The next walk took us back to the same pile, so I grabbed another. And then, I got smart and drove back with a car to pick up a few more. I had a plan.



And that's how this table was born. With a couple of abandoned shelves in the basement, and a few long nails, we made ourselves a new piece of outdoor furniture. Pretty much for free.



Within minutes, the table became a chemistry lab with a mad scientist.



And then it became the buffet table for a late afternoon feast of grilled pizzas and grilled caesar salad (thank you for sharing, Michael!).







It's a wonder how we lived without this table before, just hours ago... Within a day, we embraced and enjoyed this new addition and everything that can fit on it.

Weekending

We are all enjoying a warm, blustery, springy kind of day. I hope you are, too.

Spring!

We are enjoying a magnificent spring over here in Ohio. More photos can be seen on Cool Columbus blog, but this one here is our very own dogwood taken in front of the house. A special bloom amidst the spectacular season.

A flurry of a lot of things

We've had quite a week.



We left Columbus on a brisk day, just as Spring was about to knock on the door. Daffodils were blooming; the heat was about to be dialed up to record highs.  We drove East, all the way to where Lady Liberty stands proud and tall, facing the Atlantic ocean toward our friends across the pond. There, in the city that never sleeps, we were greeted with unseasonal temperatures and sunny skies. We were also greeted by many familiar faces, all belong to those we call friends.



We played tourists and went to the well known spots. We also played friends and took walks in the parks, shared meals, and reminisced about the old days. We toured the harbor; we took the subway; we even helped a stranger who suffered a seizure right there on the platform. We ate out, and in, and enjoyed one ethnic food after another, never repeating once.



We marveled at the sound and sights and talents of a show on Broadway. We even spent time with Monet, Van Gogh, and Rodin.


And Rocky, too, on his very steps leading to such an incredible place of the arts! Philadelphia...I will do a better job and give you more time, next time.


Then we turned around, drove south, then west again. We returned to Columbus in FULL BLOOM.











And one very happy dog. Happy Spring to all!

Cracking the Cheese Wheel

                                            This post also appears at Cool Columbus Blog



This box appeared in front of my door a few weeks ago, thanks to Tiffany at Whole Foods Dublin. She was inviting local bloggers to send in a recipe using the King of Cheese, the Parmigiano Reggiano. The recipe winner would be invited to help crack a wheel of the said cheese as part of their Guinness Book of World Records specialty event (all of the Whole Food stores in the US were to crack a wheel at the same time on March 10, at 3pm). Cool, yes?



When I saw the hunk of cheese, I looked around the kitchen to see what it could become. We are still in winter-mode here... nothing from the garden, nothing from the farmers market. A good piece of parmigiano like that does not need to be transformed, really. But I could not have sent in a recipe with a blank note card.

So I searched. In the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, I found some left over parsley. In the pantry was a jar of walnuts. Bingo. With a bit of grated parmigiano, some lemon juice and a good amount of extra virgin olive oil (I used my new favorite, The Olive Orchard Sicilian EVOO), I was game.

Two little (pesto-lover) tasters helped me perfect the flavors before I jotted down the measurements of each ingredient (I am well known for not measuring anything at all). I sent a quick email with the newly perfected recipe to Tiffany. I closed the note with my good wishes, and went on about my life as usual. The pesto was tasty. I was thankful for the complimentary cheese and an invitation to participate. But all of that was in the rear view mirror.

Until I found out that my recipe won the taste test!

I had to read Tiffany's email a few times before taking it seriously. I was the winner, she said, among many tasty recipes. Moreover, my presence was requested at the Whole Foods store in Dublin, Ohio, precisely at 3pm on March 10, 2012. The mission: to crack open a parmigiano wheel and break world record". No pressure.



I had never done anything quite like it. The wheel was big, and hefty (about 90 lbs). Thankfully, my Whole Foods cheese friend, Dallas, was there to help me.



At 3pm sharp, he seared the wheel. With two sharp knives, I dug in, pushing and pulling. I could feel my head warming up (wishing I had 3 more inches on me for better leverage), and really could not remember where I was or why I was attacking a huge mound of cheese. But I did it. It cracked with just the right amount of force. The crowd cheered. I felt accomplished, and actually... it was FUN!



The staff at Whole Foods could not have been nicer to me and my family. I felt the warmth and hospitality from everyone I met. Whole Foods in Dublin is clearly a destination shopping place with beautiful produce, tasty treats, and knowledgeable staff.

Apparently the winning recipe was available for sampling prior to the cracking event today. If you were not there to taste, here it is just for you. I do recommend using the real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (like the one sold at Whole Foods) for best results.



Enjoy!

Parsley-Walnut Pesto

1 cup parsley leaves, de-stemmed and washed
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/2 cup walnuts
1 large clove garlic
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (we used the Olive Orchard Sicilian Oil)
1 Tablespoon Meyer Lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper

In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Pulse until smooth. Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy over pasta, vegetables, as a spread on crackers or toast.